Willis Leaving IGA To Head Distributor
resigned as president and chief operating officer of the Independent Grocer Association Nov. 1, was named the president and chief operating officer of Standard Fruit & Vegetable Co. this week.
The integrated produce distributor, with facilities in Dallas, Atlanta and Kansas City, Kan., has a verbal agreement to acquire another company.
"This is an opportunity to keep involved with retailers," Willis said. "I'll be dealing with both independents and chains, so it will be an opportunity for me to learn."
Willis announced his departure from the 3,400-store IGA last month, after a four-year tenure there, saying he was looking for a "fresh" and "bigger" challenge.
IGA is not seeking a successor to Willis at this time. Chairman and CEO Tom Haggai and the senior management team would handle Willis's duties temporarily.
Standard is one if the largest wholesale distributors of fresh produce in country, reporting sales of approximately $150 million in 1997.
